I was forced to pay a $15,000 Social Security overpayment – when they notified me it revealed the truth about my ex
A SOCIAL Security recipient has learned information about their ex-partner through an overpayment error.
They were informed by the Social Security Administration (SSA) of an outstanding amount a few years back and were initially confused about how it happened.
GettyA Social Security user got an overpayment notice worth $15,000 due to their ex-partner[/caption]
GettyThe Social Security Administration wanted tens of thousands paid back[/caption]
The recipient, Elaina, explained that she had two kids with her ex-husband, who was on disability and receiving consistent distributions from the SSA, per a thread on Facebook.
She received child support from those payments for the children but was unaware that her former partner had another baby with someone else after their divorce.
Elaina only found out about the third child due to a notice from the SSA that there had been about $15,000 extra distributed to her two kids that should’ve also gone to their half-sibling.
While she initially paid the $15,000 back in full, Elaina said she wrote back to the SSA explaining the situation to see if anything could be done to decrease or waive the money.
“So I paid back the $15K but I wrote a letter letting them know I had no idea he had another kid because we don’t speak and I don’t allow him to see the kids,” she noted in the post.
“So it’s not my fault, he was responsible for notifying them.”
Elaina claimed she eventually heard back from the SSA, who not only agreed with her conclusion about the error, but apologized about the situation and returned the $15,000 in full, plus interest.
There are at least two forms Americans can file to appeal an overpayment.
REQUESTS REQUIRED
The first is the SSA-561, otherwise known as a Request for Reconsideration, per a release from the SSA.
It would be used only “if you don’t agree that you’ve been overpaid, or believe the amount is incorrect.”
SSA-561 can be filed online through the administration’s website or through calling a representative.
It also must be filed within 60 days of receiving an overpayment notice.
Other Americans in a similar situation as Elaina, who believe they’re not at fault for an overpayment, should instead file an SSA-632 form, otherwise known as a Request for Waiver of Overpayment Recovery.
The SSA has no time limit for this form as long as recipients can prove one of two things — either that the error was not due to them, or that paying the amount back would cause them hardship or be unfair for a specific reason.
Golden years...
Here’s what Joy Dumandan, Consumer Editor with The U.S. Sun has to say…
The Golden Years should be a time of less stress and more relaxation, after working for decades.
A Nationwide survey found, in 2024, more Americans will turn 65 years old than at any point in history – about 12,000 people a day reaching retirement age.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has come under fire for what’s being called “service delivery cuts.”
It’s a result of underfunding and understaffing.
In March, the new commissioner of the SSA, Martin O’Malley, testified on Capitol Hill addressing several key areas.
Backlogs
O’Malley acknowledged backlogs in the US continue to grow. He told the Senate Finance Committee people applying for disability are waiting on average nearly eight months for a decision on whether they qualify for the benefits.
Customer service
He admitted their 800 number system is dysfunctional and people trying to reach someone at the agency by phone are on hold for 38 minutes or more.
Overpayments
This is a contentious issue among Americans and the SSA. O’Malley said his agency has always tried to get the “right amount to the right person at the right time.”
People have found out the hard way, that isn’t always the case. Delinquent notices or overpayment bills have been sent to Americans – many of whom had no idea they owe thousands of dollars.
O’Malley admitted the overpayments “can have damaging consequences for beneficiaries.”
Solutions
O’Malley has only been in office since the beginning of the year but he highlighted how there have been quick fixes for the short-term.
This includes a “no to all” button during the claims-taking process on Supplemental Security Income.
A nationwide expansion of a new Automated Medicare Process to reduce processing time from seven minutes to seven seconds.
The agency is also working on simplifying and streamlining the SSI program and who is considered.
The SSA changed their policy so that a majority of beneficiaries who need a repayment plan will have up to 60 months.
That’s just a few immediate changes with more to come.
Bottom line
The average monthly Social Security retirement benefit is $1,907, according to the SSA.
Amounts for every beneficiary fluctuates depending on one’s retirement age and income, but the common concern is making sure what a taxpayer paid into while working, they’ll see in their golden years.
By: Joy Dumandan
SSA-632 can also be filed online — or be printed off, filled out, and submitted at a nearby SSA office.
STORIES OF SUCCESS
A few Social Security recipients have used either form in recent years to waive overpayment amounts ranging from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands.
A couple in Michigan was informed they owed at least $37,000 back to the SSA after receiving a life-altering letter.
After going through a long process back and forth with the forms and contacting SSA agents, the payment was ultimately waived.
Similarly, a recipient recently filed SSA-561 after believing a $654 amount was incorrect before paying it out.
The SSA admitted it was an error on their end and rescinded its request entirely.
Some haven’t been so lucky, with one American required to pay back about $121,000 in 30 days.
Another felt the floor go out beneath them after getting a notice about an $84,000 overpayment.
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